THE CONGLETON COLLEGE FOOTBALL ACADEMY 2-2 THE ELITE ACADEMY- 7th October

The Congleton College gain first point of the season

The Congleton College gained their first point of the season in a 2-2 draw with The Elite Academy. The college have only been offering the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Performance and Excellence course since September and the match on Wednesday was their first home match in the English Colleges category three league.

Congleton started well and took the lead in just the eighth minute following a quick break. Adam McHale received the ball on the left wing; a great first touch saw him go around one of Elite’s players, before he picked out Daniel Needham in the box. Needham produced a clinical finish, beyond the goalkeeper and into the right corner of the net.

It took 15 minutes until Hallam Carslake was tested in the Congleton goal. Carslake had to be alert to turn Elite’s shot around the post before the side from Liverpool hit the woodwork with a free-kick four minutes later.

Congleton continued to press as they looked to increase their lead. Needham saw his half-volley sail just wide of the far post from the left edge of the area.  Needham had another chance minutes later after he twisted and turned around four defenders but his shot was easily gathered by the Elite goalkeeper. Elite’s number one then had to make two good saves to stop Congleton extending their lead further on the half-hour mark.

At one goal behind, Elite were still very much in the match and Carslake produced a brilliant reflex save to deflect the ball with his legs behind for a corner. From the corner, Elite hit the upright at the near post. Congleton held firm and had a deserved one-nil advantage at the break.

The Elite Academy equalised ten minutes into the second-half. A long ball over the top of the defence fell to the striker, who appeared to be in an offside position, he rounded Carslake and his shot hit the inside of the post and bounced in.

Both sides struggled to create any real goal scoring chances after the equaliser.  Reece Carbutt went closest for Congleton with his shot from outside the area producing a fine diving save from Elite’s goalkeeper.

However, a moment of quality restored Congleton’s lead with 15 minutes left on the clock. Daniel Needham produced a great finish to score his and Congleton’s second goal of the match. He controlled the ball before firing into the roof of the net, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance of saving it.

It looked like Needham’s fifth goal of the season would be enough for Congleton to record their first ever win, however the Elite Academy equalised with just two minutes left. Carslake produced a great save to deny Elite’s striker from point blank range, but another Elite player reacted quickest to the rebound to poke the ball into the net to deny Congleton victory.

The side is still learning and adapting to college football, with the course in its first year. However, despite failing to record a win in their opening three matches, they have more than held their own and have been competitive in each game, with narrow defeats away to Macclesfield Academy (4-3) and Egerton (1-0).

Manager Mr Donnelly said after the match: “I think it is our best performance of the season. We could quite easily be at the top of the league with nine points or have no points at all. It has been fine margins but I am pleased with how we have been very competitive in each match.”

Congleton College: Carslake, Laird (Chadwick 45), O’Gara, Guillon, Lynn (Knapper 59), Reed, Evans, Archer, Hooper, McHale (Carbutt 45), Needham.

Written by Adam Bailey